The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-24
ALEX. II. STEPHENS.
Rome "Reminiscences of the Cora
msuer of Liberty nall.


Rome "Reminiscences of the Cesp-
mener Of Liberty nall.
WASHINGTON, July l6. While
looking over some papers today
found tie notes Of an evening con-
yersation with Alexander Ii. Steph-
ems some years ago. He occupied at
that time the rooms in which Henry
Clay lived for many years and in
which the great Kentuckian died.
Little or no change had been made
in the furniture or arrangements OF
the two rooms in thirty years except
that Mr.. Stephens used as bedroom
the apartment which had been Mr..
Clay's sitting room On the evening
referred to we sat in Mr.. Stephens's
sleeping room, and he INDUCED in
many "reminiscences of Mr.. Clay and
other public men. Several persons
called during the evening. Among
them was q Gen. -, OF Texas, a
big man with pompous manner and
a big voice, and fond Of big words
which he sometimes used with more
re gard to sound than meaning. lie
explained that he left Georgia, his
native State, before Mr. Stephens had
achieved great distinction; but" he
added, II had not resided many years
in Texas, sir, before my brother wrote
me that that diminished. pale, boyish
looking fellow, AleckIStephens, had
turned out to be a regular progeny"
For q time, during his FIRST years
in Congress, Mr.. Stephens was q
member Of what was known as the
Supreme Court Mess" where he
Termed the acquaintance Of William
M. Evarts aud Morrison X. Waite,
who were in Washington attending
TO business in the Supreme Court,
and who were members Of the same
mess" Another member Of the
mess" was Allen Owen, OF Georgia.
q classmate OF Mr.. Evarts aud Mr..
Waite at Yale. The three lawyers
were intimate friends. Owen died
about the close Of the war, and lett
two daughters in destitute circum-
stances. They made their way 10
Savannah, and at last succeeded in
reaching New York, where they
made themselves and their condition
known 10 Mr.. Eysrts, who imme-
diately interested himself In their
behalf and obtained situations for
them in one OF the Government
Offices. Mr.. Stephens added: when
Mr.. Waite came TO Washington after
his appointment and confirmation as
chiei Justice, the first thing he did
was to fnd and call upon the daugh-
tors oil his old classmate, aud his sec
ond call was upon thal rebel Vice
President. being i'll at the time"
Mr.. Stephens related this anecdote
about Benton: when Benton was
on his deathbed he sent for George
W. Jones and myself. lie asked me
to complete and publish the last FIVE
volumes OF his Arrangement OF the
Debates in Congress, which he did
not live TO see published, aud | I'M
dertook aud performed the task. To
Mr.. Jones the dying Senator gave
several commissions. Among the
things he said was this, as we'll AZ |
can recall the words: Il have been
long in public liie-thirty years a
Senator ofthe United States. | de-
sire il to be made known that despite
all the excitomenis aud temptations
incident 20 my career, there are two
places in which | have never been in
my life. / have never been in q
gambling house, nor AZ delegate in
National Convention 10 nominate a
candidate for the Presidency-both
Of which places | hold in equal sb.
horrence.' Mr.. Stephens said that
his view OF National Conventions ex.
actly agreed with that 10 forcibly eI.
pressed by Mr.. Benton.
Mr.. Stephebs's comments on some
OF the living members OF his own
party were sharp and severe. For
example. he said: mr.. Thurman
il a greatly overrated man; he il tx.
norant Of some OF the plainest con.
stitutional principles which underli,
the government; he IL an unsafe
leader-or, rather, he lacks all the
qualities OF leadership. As leader he
may be likened TO one OF the idle and
enthusiastic urchins who precede q
band Of circus music in a country
village, and who may be said TO lead
the band 10 that sense he may be
styled = leader"
Referring TO Mr.. Blaelburn's eI.
IRENE loouacity when in the chair Al
Speaker pro TEN. Of the House, Al
we'll as on all other occasions, Mr..
Stephens remarked: well, | sup.
pose Joe thinks the chief duty OF q
Speaker IN 20 speak"